2003 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK430 CABRIOLET battery

143 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Express opening and closing of door windows
Press switch k or j past resistance point and
release — window opens or closes completely.
To interrupt procedure, briefly press k or j.
If the upward movement of the window is blocked
during the closing procedure, the window will stop and
open slightly.
When pressing and holding the switch j to close the
window, and upward movement of the window is
blocked by some obstruction including but not limited to
arms, hands, fingers etc., the automatic reversal will not

operate.Notes:
The power windows can also be opened and closed with
the infrared remote control while locking the vehicle
doors or trunk, see page 29.
If the express closing function of the door windows is
interrupted, press and hold the switch j to close the
window completely.
The automatic full closing procedure of the window
should now be reactivated.
The rear windows can only be opened using the express
feature.
Synchronizing power windows
If the power supply was interrupted (battery
disconnected or low), the windows cannot be opened or
closed (only door windows) by the Express feature.
To resynchronize the express feature, press j side of
power window switch until the window is completely
closed and hold for additional 2 seconds. Repeat
procedure for each window.
The automatic full opening and closing (only door
windows) procedure of the windows should now be
restored.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
electronic key from the steering lock and lock the
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment can cause
an accident and/or serious personal injury.

145 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Interior lighting 1Automatic interior lighting
Press once and the automatic interior lighting is
activated.
Interior lamps are switched on, and off (soft fade)
delayed, when unlocking or locking the vehicle, or
when opening or closing a door. However, there will
be no (soft fade) delay when the electronic key is in
steering lock position 2.
Press again and interior lamps remain switched off,
even when centrally unlocking or opening a door.
2Press to switch interior and reading lamps on or off.
3Press to switch reading lamp on or off.
4Press to switch reading lamp on or off.
Entrance lamps, exit lamps in doors
The lamps are switched on and off by the door contact
switches.
Note:
To prevent the vehicle battery from being discharged,
with doors open all interior lamps go out after
approximately 5 minutes.
P68.00-2297-26
3
4
21

165 Soft top
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index If the indicator lamp in the soft top switch blinks slowly
while activating the switch,
•the battery voltage may be insufficient – start
engine and let it run while activating switch,
•the system may be overheated (for example after
lowering or raising the soft top approx. 5
consecutive times) – after approx. 10 minutes the
soft top switch may be activated again.
If indicator lamp in the soft top switch blinks rapidly
while activating the switch,
•the trunk lid and/or the luggage cover may be open,
and need to be closed,
•the soft top is still locked during the opening
procedure and needs to be unlocked,
•the opening/closing procedure is interrupted.
In this case the soft top needs to be synchronized.
Turn electronic key in steering lock back to
position 0, and then to position 2. Activate soft top
switch again. The soft top should now be operational
again.
If the indicator lamp continues to blink, raise the soft
top manually, see page 288. Have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Notes:
If the roll bar was raised automatically, the process of
raising or lowering the soft top will take somewhat
longer, as the roll bar must first be lowered.
Whenever possible, park vehicle in the shade as
continuous exposure to sun rays can prematurely
deteriorate the soft top material.
The soft top may become moldy and receive permanent
creases if it is kept in the storage compartment for an
extended period.
Therefore, we recommend raising and airing it
thoroughly with the side windows open (do not expose
it to the sun) at regular intervals during the wet and
cold seasons.
To prevent damage, the soft top must be dry and clean
before lowering it into the storage compartment. There
is the possibility of sharp-edged dirt particles damaging
the soft top or scratching the rear window.

178 Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Te l e A i d (optional for Canada)
Important!
The initial activation of the Tele Aid system may only be
performed by completing the subscriber agreement and
placing an acquaintance call using the SOS button.
Failure to complete either of these steps will result in a
system that is not activated. If the system is not
activated the indicator lamp in the SOS button stays on
after turning electronic key in starter switch to
position 2 and the message “TELE AID – NOT
ACTIVATED” will be shown in the multifunction display
for approx. 10 seconds.
If you have any questions regarding activation, please
call the Response Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA)
or 1-888-923-8367 (in Canada).
(Te l ematic Alarm Identification on Demand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three types of response;
automatic and manual emergency, roadside assistance
and information.
The Tele Aid system is operational providing that the
vehicle’s battery is charged, properly connected, not
damaged and cellular and GPS coverage is available.The speaker volume of a Tele Aid call can be adjusted
when using the volume control on the multifunction
steering wheel, for raising press buttonæ and for
lowering press buttonç.
To activate, press the SOS button, the Roadside
Assistance button• or the Information button¡,
depending on the type of response required.
Shortly after the completion of your Acquaintance Call,
you will receive a user ID and password via first call
mail. By visiting www.mbusa.com and selecting “Tele
Aid” (USA only), you will have access to account
information, remote door unlock, profile and more.
Important!
Tele Aid utilizes the cellular network for
communication and the GPS (Global Positioning
System) satellites for vehicle location. If either of these
signals are unavailable, the Tele Aid system may not
function and if this occurs, assistance must be
summoned by other means.

189 Steering lock
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
If the electronic key is left in the steering lock position 0
for an extended period of time, it can no longer be
turned in the lock. In this case, remove electronic key
from steering lock and reinsert.
Caution!
To prevent accelerated battery discharge and a possible
dead battery, always remove the electronic key from the
steering lock. Do not leave the electronic key in steering
lock position 0.Notes:
A warning sounds when the driver’s door is opened
while the electronic key is in steering lock position 1
or 0.
If the electronic key cannot be turned in the steering
lock, the vehicle battery may not be sufficiently charged.
See battery on page 270 or jump starting on page 271.
With the engine at idle speed, the charging rate of the
alternator (output) is limited.
It is therefore recommended that you turn off
unnecessary electrical consumers while driving in stop-
and-go traf fic. This precaution helps to avoid draining of
the battery.
Unnecessary strain on the battery and charging system
may be minimized by turning off the following power
consumers, for example: Heated seats, rear window
defroster. In addition, the automatic climate air volume
control should be set to the lowest position.
The steering lock can only be unlocked with the vehicle
battery properly charged and connected.

190 Starting and turning off the engine
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Starting and turning off the engine
Before starting
Ensure that parking brake is engaged and that selector
lever is in position “P” or “N”. Turn electronic key in
steering lock to position 2.
Starting
Do not depress accelerator.
Briefly turn electronic key in steering lock clockwise to
the stop and release. The starter will engage until the
engine is running.
If engine will not run, and the starting procedure stops,
turn electronic key completely to the left and repeat
starting the engine.
After several unsuccessful attempts, have the system
checked at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.Important!
Due to the installed starter non-repeat feature, the
electronic key must be turned completely to the left
before attempting to start the engine again.
In areas where temperatures frequently drop below -4
°F
(-20
°C) we recommend that an engine block heater be
installed. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
advise you on this subject.
Note:
Too many unsuccessful starting attempts may discharge
the battery.
Turning off
Turn the electronic key in the steering lock to position 0
to stop the engine.
The electronic key can only be removed with the
selector lever in position “P”.

208 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
If the vehicle is parked after being driven on salt treated
roads, the braking efficiency should be tested as soon as
possible after driving is resumed while observing the
safety rules in the previous paragraph.Winter driving
Have your vehicle winterized at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center before the onset of winter.
•Check engine coolant anticorrosion/antifreeze
concentration.
•Additive for the windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system: Add MB Concentrate “S” to a
premixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze
which is formulated for below freezing temperatures
see page 255.
•Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing
ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps
to ensure that the engine can be started, even at low
ambient temperatures.
•Tires: We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires on
all four wheels for the winter season. Observe
permissible maximum speed for M+S rated
radial-ply tires and the legal speed limit.
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
antilock brake system (ABS) or of the electronic stability
program (ESP) can only be achieved with M+S rated
radial-ply tires and / or snow chains recommended by
Mercedes-Benz. Snow chains maximize performance.
Wa r n i n g !
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make sure
that snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe and
from around the vehicle with engine running.
Otherwise, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness
and death.To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open a
window slightly on the side of the vehicle not
facing the wind.

217 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
The malfunction indicator lamp¿ for the ESP is
combined with that of the BAS.
The yellow BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster and the yellow ESP warning
lampv in the speedometer dial come on with the
electronic key in steering lock position 2. They should
go out with the engine running.
If the BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp comes on
continuously with the engine running, a malfunction
has been detected in either system. Only partial engine
output will be available.
If the BAS malfunctions, the brake system functions in
the usual manner, but without BAS.
If the ESP warning message is displayed, have the BAS
or ESP checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
For ESP warning message, see page 241.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the ESP is also switched
off.Driving the vehicle with varied size tires will cause the
wheels to rotate at different speeds, therefore the ESP
may activate (yellow ESP warning lamp in speedometer
dial comes on). For this reason, all wheels, including the
spare wheel, must have the same tire outside diameter.
When testing the parking brake on a brake test
dynamometer, the engine must be shut off. Otherwise,
the ESP will immediately be engaged and will apply the
rear wheel brakes.
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
ESP is only achieved with Mercedes-Benz recommended
M+S rated radial-ply tires and/or snow chains.
Synchronizing ESP
If the power supply was interrupted (battery
disconnected or empty), the BAS/ESP malfunction
indicator lamp may be illuminated with the engine
running.
Turn steering wheel completely to the left and then to
the right. The BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp
should go out.